15
1116 Words
She's almost shining, like the sky on a bright and sunny day.
She laughed as she told stories about the last book she read. Halos tumapon ang kanin na nasa kutsara niya dahil inuuna niyang magkwento bago kumain, but I didn't mind. May gana na siya ulit kumain, and she eats by herself now, mag-rereklamo pa ba ako?
I was smiling the entire time that I was watching her. When was the last time we talked so casually? When was the last time she was this open? We're not healed yet, but it's progress.
Pumangalumbaba ako at pinanood siyang sobrang giliw magkwento.
"Tapos 'yong si Beom, ginagamit lang pala siya ng manager niya para kumita ng pera. Lahat ng tip na nakukuha niya sa mga show, diretso doon sa manager niya..." She pouted, her mood suddenly shifting as the plot of the book took a turn.
It feels so nice to see her so emotional. I turned her into an emotionless person during my insanity, and I'll make sure to avoid it from happening again.
"Poor Beom," I commented, picking up the rice grains she had spilled on the table.
"Yeah," she muttered, frowning as she finally took a bite of the food that had been sitting on her spoon.
I smirked a little. She's so cute.
"Good thing his favorite author turned out to be that guy who's in love with him. I'm sure he offered help." Sabi ko na nagpa-liwanag sa mukha niya.
"Yes!" She exlaimed. "He loves him so much! Ayaw lang ni Beom tumanggap agad ng tulong dahil hindi pa naman sila, but you know, it helps that someone's beside him during those trying times." She took another spoonful before continuing her story.
Nangalumbaba ako at nag-simula na ulit kumain, pero madalas paring tumitig sa kanya.
I knew I was smiling. The story she's telling me is about lovers. I'm not necessarily interested in romance stories anymore, so it's a bit boring to me. But seeing how excited she is about this couple, nalilibang na rin ako.
And I just want to listen to her speak. Ang sarap sa tenga ng boses niya. Para akong hinehele.
Bumalik lang ako sa pag-iisip ko sa mga sumunod niyang sinabi.
"...and then this company that manufactures s*x toys suddenly wants to partner up with Beom to make a cast or mold out of his body. Since, you know, he's a famous and all." Ponzu paused and wiped her mouth with a napkin.
My brows furrowed.
What? Paano nangyaring ito na ang nangyayari sa kinukwento niya?
"So that night, they were having intense s*x! Beom was tired pero humihirit pa 'yong author. Buti na lang, dumating na 'yong pinadeliver noong company na sample mold niya as a s*x toy. So Beom just asked the author to fu—"
I put a finger on her lips to stop her from talking. "Wait!"
"What?" Alam kong nakakunot pa rin ang noo ko. "What the hell kind of book are you reading, sweetheart?"
Tumatawa niyang inalis ang kamay ko mula sa bibig niya. "It's that book I asked you to buy that one time."
"Ako ang bumili?" Lalong kumunot ang noo ko.
I can't believe I bought her a book this mature. Intense s*x? And toys? I would've remembered if I had bought a book that talked about those things.
"Yeah, it's the book about gay lovers. I'm going to get it for you." And before I could stop her, she ran upstairs.
I do buy her books, alright. Simula nang dinala ko siya dito, I didn't allow her to touch any phone, TV, or computers. Gusto ko na meron pa rin siyang mapaglilibangan, pero lahat ng binili kong libro ay siya ang nagbigay ng mga title. She just gave me a list. I did scan every book after buying them to know what she's been consuming. Lahat naman ng ipinabili niya, as far as I know, mukhang inosente ang mga cover.
"Here!" hinihingal niyang sigaw.
"Easy on the stairs." I scolded.
"Yes, yes." Tinalon niya ang ilang huling baitang ng hagdan at naupo ulit sa harapan ko. Ibinaba niya sa harap ko ang libro.
"This!"
"This?" I picked up the book.
I stared at it. It had two men on the cover, but it wasn't even sexy. They're just... two men. As a matter of fact, they looked young. The cover was cute and quite innocent to me.
"Yeah!" Excited niyang kinuha sa akin ang libro at hinugot mula sa loob noon ang isang bookmark.
"Look, this came free with the book." Inabot ko ang bookmark mula sa kamay niya.
Pagkakita ko sa naka-print sa bookmark, parang gusto kong mabulag.
"Jesus, Ponzu!" Naihagis ko ang bookmark ng hindi sinasadya sa lamesa at tinakpan ko ang mga mata ko.
"Why?" She was acting concerned, but her laughter was radiating through the walls.
"Baby," tumikhim ako. I knew my face was red. "Stop making fun of me."
"Tumingin ka muna sa 'kin!" Tumatawa pa rin siya.
Inalis ko ang kamay ko sa mga mata ko at tumingin sa kanya. Her face was red from laughing hard, and she still had the scandalous bookmark in her hands.
"What f*****g book are you reading, Ponzu?" I asked, concerned. Uminom ako ng tubig para mabawasan ang init sa mukha at leeg ko dahil sa pagkapahiya.
"It's yaoi." She laughed and tried to show me the bookmark again. Umiwas ako ng tingin.
"The cover of that book is innocent as hell. But that art," tinukoy ko ang nakadrawing sa bookmark.
"It's scandalous."
"No, it's not! It's beautiful! This is the art of s*x between men." Itinapat niya ulit ang bookmark sa mukha ko.
Hinawakan ko ang kamay niya at inalalayan siyang itago ang bookmark sa pagitan ng mga pahina ng libro niya.
"I'm not going to judge another book by its cover again." I patted her head.
"Dapat lang!" She tried to show me the bookmark one last time, then burst out laughing.
Nakakatuwang panoorin siyang masaya, but man. This girl—masyado siyang nage-enjoy na asarin ako gamit ang libro niya.
It's payback time.
"So you do appreciate the art of s*x between men," I echoed her words.
"Of course."
"Would you want us to imitate them?" I asked.
She laughed loudly at my question. "I don't have a dong, silly!"
"You're right," I shrugged. "You got an asshole, though."
Halos matawa ako nang nabitawan ni Ponzu ang libro at napanganga siya sa sinabi ko.
"A-Anong...?" She looked shocked.
"Anong?" Ginaya ko siya sabay tawa.
"Cain!" Hinampas niya ako sa braso. I caught her wrist and kissed it.
"Come on, baby." I grinned, and she shook her head harshly.
"Let's try anal."
- Writer
